Page 466 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

chapter 10

Common clinical problems

Susan C. Cork

When animal health and veterinary staff under- 1 infertility and abortion (Table 10.2 and Figure
take field visits, it is often necessary to provide 10.1)
initial treatment for an animal without confirm- 2 diarrhoea (Tables 10.3, 10.4–10.5)
ing the cause of its illness. However, to be sure 3 haematuria/haemoglobinuria (Table 10.6)
that the correct medication is given, especially 4 hair loss, itchy skin (Table 10.7, 10.8)
when an entire herd of flock is to be treated, 5 ill thrift, weight loss (Table 10.9)
it is good practice to collect suitable samples 6 neurological signs (Table 10.10).
for submission to the veterinary laboratory.
This will improve the chances of identifying the
cause of the problem and is especially important 10.1 Infertility and abortion
where a large number of animals are ‘at risk’ so
that appropriate disease control and prevention The following section will focus on reproductive
measures can be taken. Undertaking a thorough disorders in cattle but the principles followed are
examination and taking a good case history is similar for all species.
essential. Remember that emerging and re-emerging
disease can be missed if staff are not observant and
thorough. Infertility in the female
The principles of identifying a health prob-
lem, that is, taking a case history and performing If there is an apparent infertility problem (that
a clinical examination have already been dis- is, failure to conceive in the female), it is first
cussed. Some diseases are associated with a necessary to rule out early embryonic death,
specific presentation (age/class or subgroup) so which may also result in repeated returns to ser-
it is important to collect this type of informa- vice. To do this there must be reliable records
tion in the case history. The principles of good available. Record keeping is usually good if the
sample collection have also been outlined (see animals are visiting an artificial insemination
Chapter 1). (AI) centre. If possible check the dates of returns
In this chapter, the following clinical problems for AI. If the intervals are longer than the normal
will be discussed in more detail. A summary of oestrus period (19–21 days for cows) there may
the likely differential diagnoses for these clini- have been early embryonic loss. If cows continue
cal presentations are provided in the associated to come into oestrus after normal service by a
tables: bull it is also important to check the fertility of

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